WATCH: Rockledge’s Gary Miracle Talks About World Adoption Day Set Nov. 9
By Steve Wilson // November 9, 2025
Miracle Adopted His Daughter, Johana, From Columbia, South America
WATCH: Gary Miracle, an author, Christian advocate, and motivational speaker, recently talked with the Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson at the Erdman Automotive studio in Cocoa. World Adoption Day is Sunday, November 9, and Miracle spoke about the positive impact adopting his daughter had on his life and his family’s.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – World Adoption Day will be recognized on Sunday, November 9. Millions of children worldwide need a family.
Gary Miracle joined me at the Erdman Automotive Studio in Cocoa to talk about how adopting his daughter changed his life, for the better, and what it meant to him and his family.
Miracle adopted his daughter, Johana, from Colombia, South America, approximately seven years ago. He never stopped smiling when he talked about Johana. I asked him what World Adoption Day means to him.
He told me, “World Adoption Day means the world to me because my daughter, who completed my family, is a part of that world that I was able to adopt from….incredible.”
Johana came to the United States not knowing English, so you can imagine how challenging it was for her. To show you how far she has come in seven years, Johana is near completing her degree from Eastern Florida State College.
Miracle told me that, long-term, “She wants to get into criminology. She is on track to do so and wants to do forensics.” Miracle went on to say, “She wants to be a part of social work to put away the bad guys and help with adoptions. She wants to use her criminology to help children who are in bad situations.”
One way that people recognize and promote World Adoption Day is to draw a smiley face on their hand, take a picture, and post it on social media. Miracle is going to have a smiley face tattooed on his arm, a permanent reminder of the joy that Johana has brought into his life.
Johana Miracle is an extraordinary young lady. She is going to make her mark in this world. The sky is the limit for her. And this is just one example of how adoption can lead to a better life —not only for the adoptee, but also for her “new family” and society!
For additional information on Gary Miracle, CLICK HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
